Richmond council backs hybrid plan and six‑month follow-up after ALS feasibility study

The Richmond City Council on Tuesday directed city staff to pursue next steps toward adding advanced life‑support (ALS) — paramedic — response to the city’s fire services, and to return to the council with a detailed update in six months.

Aaron Osorio, Richmond Fire Department chief, presented a draft feasibility study prepared by Matrix Consulting Group that examined three service models: non‑transport “squad” (single‑role paramedics in small rapid-response units), engine‑based paramedics (firefighter‑paramedics on engines) and a hybrid phased approach combining the two. The draft estimated a multiyear rollout with several million dollars in startup costs and ongoing annual costs once fully implemented.

Chief Osorio told council that Richmond is the only Bay Area fire department that still operates at basic‑life‑support (BLS) emergency‑medical response while neighboring jurisdictions provide ALS at the scene. “This would be the most significant increase in services from the fire department in the last 40 years,” he said.

The consultant’s draft recommended a phased plan. Osorio said the department prefers a hybrid sequence: begin with pilot squads staffed by single‑role paramedics to get ALS on scene sooner, while developing a longer‑term engine‑based paramedic program and pathways for existing firefighters to become paramedics.

Human resources director Sharron Taylor described hiring and labor implications, including new job classifications (single‑role paramedic, firefighter‑paramedic, supervisor, analyst), meet-and-confer obligations with several bargaining units, and options for training current employees through community‑college paramedic programs. Osorio and HR outlined estimated staffing needs: roughly 18–24 single‑role paramedics for an initial squad model, or about 30 firefighter‑paramedics for a full engine‑based roll‑out, with multiyear training and hiring requirements.

Council discussion focused on feasibility, transparency, costs and workforce diversity. Several members supported a hybrid approach to begin ALS service while limiting near‑term hiring shocks and preserving pathways for Richmond residents to access the new jobs. Finance and staffing estimates in the Matrix draft were presented as preliminary and subject to further analysis; the department noted apparatus procurement lead times and the need to coordinate with Contra Costa County EMS and the county Measure H funding distribution.

Motion and outcome: Councilmember Jimenez moved to accept the draft report and direct staff to begin the next steps toward implementation, including meeting with the Contra Costa EMS agency, initiating labor discussions and returning with a detailed plan and budget options in roughly six months. Councilmember Bonner seconded. The motion carried on a recorded roll call (mayor absent).

Next steps described by staff include negotiating scope and funding with the county EMS agency, drafting job specifications and recruitment plans, beginning apparatus and equipment procurement processes (lead times noted), and preparing a multiyear implementation timeline tied to budget cycles.